John Emerald Alabama Single Malt is a whiskey made from malted barley lightly smoked with pecan and peach wood and aged in small fifteen-gallon casks, bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV).
John Sharp and his son Jimmy ran a business in Montgomery, Alabama, that required a lot of travel. When Jimmy's daughter Lily was born in 2014, they decided to start something different and founded the John Emerald Distilling Company in the small town of Opelika, naming it after John's father. Alongside rum, spiced rum, gin and vodka, the Alabama Single Malt is their signature spirit.
Smoking the malt over pecan and peach wood, two Southern woods, gives a gentle, sweet smoke rather than the peat of Scotch, and the small casks bring rich oak character to the malt.
It is a distinctive gift and a true taste of Alabama.
American whiskey covers a wide range of styles, from bourbon and rye to single malts and light whiskeys, and independent blenders and small producers have made it one of the most exciting categories in spirits.
American single malt is made from 100% malted barley at a single distillery, the same core rule as Scotch single malt.
Small casks give the spirit more contact with the wood, so oak flavor develops faster than in standard 53-gallon barrels.
Pecan and peach are classic woods of the American South, and their smoke is sweeter and gentler than peat.
Opelika sits in east Alabama, near Auburn.
A splash of water opens the smoke and fruit.
Specifications
-
Producer: John Emerald Distilling Co., Opelika, Alabama
-
Style: American single malt whiskey
-
Smoke: Pecan and peach wood
-
Cask: Small 15-gallon casks
-
Proof / ABV: 86 proof (43% ABV)
-
Region: Alabama, USA
-
Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or with a splash of water, or mix a smoky Old Fashioned. It pairs with barbecue, pecan pie or grilled peaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the malt smoked?
Lightly, with pecan and peach wood.
Where is it made?
Opelika, Alabama.
Who is it named for?
John Emerald, the father of founder John Sharp.
Explore more in our Whiskey collection.
